Phoenix Jackson makes her way along a remote path on a cold day in late December. She encounters different animals as well as people on her journey. Although only some are real, Phoenix continues on her path towards the city. In the short story “A Worn Path” by Eudora Welty, Phoenix Jackson is a heroic, old woman who walks a path to get her grandson the medicine he needs to be well. She uses courage and wit to make it through her travels safely. As Phoenix Jackson walks her path, she struggles against many obstacles including: fatigue, poor eyesight, racism, thorn bushes, and one particularly odd scarecrow.
Welty introduces Jackson’s character as an “old Negro woman.”(Welty).“My senses is gone. I too old. I the oldest people I ever know.” This shows the reader how old Jackson is and it gives a good perspective of the time period. Although the story never tells Phoenix’s real age, the reader can infer she is quite old. In the story, Welty describes a little boy offering Phoenix a slice of cake, only to find out that the young boy is a fragment of Phoenix’s imagination. This daydream gives the reader a look at how old Phoenix is. Although Phoenix was old, her age did not stop her from carrying on throughout the journey. When the hunter approaches her, Phoenix says, “There …show more content…
During this time period, racism still played a major role in society. Phoenix encounters racism throughout her journey. For instance, the hunter says, “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to see Santa Claus.” (Welty). The hunter is assuming she is going to town to see Santa Claus being she is African American. He is also in disbelief that an old woman such as herself would travel that fa. Phoenix also encounters racism whenever she arrives at the doctor’s office; an attendant says, “A charity case, I suppose.” The attendant dismisses Phoenix, because she thinks Phoenix is a charity case according to the color of her
Welty introduces Jackson’s character as an “old Negro woman.”(Welty).“My senses is gone. I too old. I the oldest people I ever know.” This shows the reader how old Jackson is and it gives a good perspective of the time period. Although the story never tells Phoenix’s real age, the reader can infer she is quite old. In the story, Welty describes a little boy offering Phoenix a slice of cake, only to find out that the young boy is a fragment of Phoenix’s imagination. This daydream gives the reader a look at how old Phoenix is. Although Phoenix was old, her age did not stop her from carrying on throughout the journey. When the hunter approaches her, Phoenix says, “There …show more content…
During this time period, racism still played a major role in society. Phoenix encounters racism throughout her journey. For instance, the hunter says, “I know you old colored people! Wouldn’t miss going to see Santa Claus.” (Welty). The hunter is assuming she is going to town to see Santa Claus being she is African American. He is also in disbelief that an old woman such as herself would travel that fa. Phoenix also encounters racism whenever she arrives at the doctor’s office; an attendant says, “A charity case, I suppose.” The attendant dismisses Phoenix, because she thinks Phoenix is a charity case according to the color of her